“So, if I make my goals more specific, you will be happy?” Dale asked.

“No, I will only be half-happy,” I replied. “A goal has two parts to it. A what, by when. Making your goals more specific, defining a quantity and a quality standard gets us part way there. But what about the Time Span of your goals?”

“Look, we have a lot going on around here. I am sure we will achieve our goals, but I can’t really tell you when. I mean, probably sometime this year.”

“And that’s why I will only be half-happy. Like most managers, you spend most of your focus on the what of your goals. The by when becomes an after-thought, if at all. Why do you think the Time Span of a goal is as important as the what?”